ἔκφοβος

greatly terrified

Definition

The adjective ἔκφοβος describes a state of being 'utterly terrified' or 'overwhelmed with fear.' It signifies fear so intense that it drives a person out of their normal state of mind or composure. In Mark 9:6, it describes Peter's reaction during the Transfiguration, a fear born of holy awe in the direct presence of divine glory. In Hebrews 12:21, it refers to Moses' terror at the fearsome manifestation of God at Mount Sinai, emphasizing the overwhelming and unapproachable holiness of God under the old covenant.

Biblical Usage

This word is used only twice in the New Testament, both times in contexts of direct, awe-inspiring encounters with God's manifest presence. In Mark 9:6, it is used within a narrative (the Gospel of Mark) to describe a human reaction to a theophany. In Hebrews 12:21, it is used in a theological argument (the Epistle to the Hebrews) to contrast the fear of the old covenant with the grace of the new. The pattern shows it is reserved for describing extreme, reverential terror in the face of divine revelation.

Etymology

Derived from the preposition ἐκ (ek), meaning 'out of,' and the noun φόβος (phobos), meaning 'fear' or 'terror.' The compound literally means 'out of fear' or 'frightened out of one's wits,' picturing a fear so profound it expels a person from their normal state. It intensifies the basic concept of φόβος to an extreme degree.

Semantic Range

This word highlights the human reaction to the raw, unmediated holiness and power of God, a theme central to understanding God's transcendence. In Hebrews 12:18-24, its use underscores the contrast between the terrifying approach to God under the Law at Sinai and the joyful approach to God through grace at Mount Zion. Understanding this intense fear enriches our appreciation for the grace and access we have through Jesus Christ, who mediates a new and living way.

In the ancient Greco-Roman and Jewish worlds, encounters with the divine were typically understood as dangerous and potentially fatal for humans. The concept of being 'ekphobos' aligns with this cultural understanding of deity as mysterium tremendum et fascinans—a mystery that both terrifies and attracts. The fear is not merely of danger but of overwhelming, sacred awe in the presence of ultimate power and holiness.

φόβος (phobos, G5401) — The root noun meaning 'fear' or 'terror,' a more general term. ἔμφοβος (emphobos, G1719) — Means 'terrified' or 'alarmed,' but lacks the intensive 'ek-' prefix suggesting being driven out by fear. τρόμος (tromos, G5156) — Means 'trembling,' often from fear, focusing on the physical manifestation rather than the internal state of being overwhelmed.

Word Details

Scripture References